Had a real fine summer solstice weekend here in Milwaukee. The weather was mostly beautiful, with a couple occasional rain showers. It set up a nice backdrop for outdoor activities…
On Friday, the Justin Roth show at Jen & Joe’s was great. The hosts provided ample food and beverages (including Spotted Cow on tap), and the music was awesome. We got to hear a few new songs, and some classic faves like “Dead Horse Trampoline,” “Ones to Hold On To,” and “Fatima’s Waltz.” Got a chance to chat with Justin a bit, and he said he is starting to work with a new producer on an album– but it sounds like it’s nothing that’s immediately on the horizon (maybe within the next 12 months or so? Hopefully?). Also got him to sign the picture that Christy took of him behind the wheel of the Festiva; he chuckled recalling the days when he shaved his head.
It was really cool that a lot of Jen and Joe’s friends who had never seen Justin or Storyhill, et al. were around to take in the show and enjoy it. That’s been my experience more often than not– if you get a chance to see the talent that these guys have in person, and how much they truly enjoy what they’re doing, it’s hard to not feel that energy and to have a really good time yourself. Justin sold a ton of CDs afterwards, if you want to use that as a measuring device. And of course, I took pictures during the show, so I’ll post a few of them here within the next couple days.
On Saturday, Mom, Grandma, the Mundschaus and I all went over to PolishFest for a few hours. I rode downtown with Mom and Grandma. We parked at WI & Plankinton, then caught the shuttle down to the grounds, but considering how early we got there, probably could’ve parked right there just as easily. We ate, drank, shopped for some Polish paraphernalia, and got to catch part of a set by Neal Zunker’s Music Connection, and Eddie Blazonczyk & the Versatones, respectively. We also ran into our cousin Chris and his buddy Scott, who got some free tickets from Uncle Mark.
Sunday was Michelle’s mom’s 60th birthday shindig at Joey Buona’s on Water Street. It was EXTREMELY filling, as usual. Sheryl seemed to have a really nice time; a number of her old high school chums made it out, as well as Michelle aunt & uncle from Sheboygan, among others. It was a fun party.
Earlier that day, I got to visit with Eric and Christine Kiefer for a while (!!). Yes, you read that correctly. I was thinking of them as we got primed for the Justin Roth show, and decided that I had put off actually getting in touch for long enough. They seem to be doing well, both on a professional and personal level. They’re staying very busy with 2 young kids around the house, but they seem pretty happy, top-to-bottom. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stay in touch a little better, particularly since I’m moving to their side of town. I got to share what limited news I could about myself, and I also spilled the beans about everything going on with everyone I know from back in the Osh Vegas days; didn’t think I was probably spoiling any surprises.
Sunday night, Michelle came over and helped me actually start packing a little bit. We took everything that was hanging down off the walls, and I began to strike the living room. I think I’m going to work on finishing that up tonight; I barely watch TV in the summer anyway, and if I really want to veg out, I have a laptop and the Internet. Packing up always seems daunting when you get started, but once you’re on a roll, it moves along. I think I’ll pick out my wardrobe for the rest of the week and get clothes packed out of the closet tonight, too…
Got a short week at work this week (took Thursday and Friday off to doing moving business), so I better get to it.